Under plans outlined by the Department for Transport but still in the consultation phase, cars could be exempt from the test for four years instead of the current three, and the changes could be brought in as early as next year.
Explaining the rationale behind the proposals, roads minister Andrew Jones said: “We have some of the safest roads in the world and MOT tests play an important role in ensuring the standard of vehicles on our roads. New vehicles are much safer than they were 50 years ago and so it is only right we bring the MOT test up to date to help save motorists money where we can.”
However, many within the industry have highlighted possible duty-of-care concerns and administrative burdens that could be placed on fleet managers should the changes go ahead.
The MOT-free period has been set at three years since 1967, when it was reduced from 10 years, but the Government said improvements in safety technology and manufacturing have led to vehicles staying roadworthy for longer.
Over the past decade, the number of three- or four-year-old cars involved in accidents where vehicle defects were contributory factors fell from 155 in 2006 to 57 in 2015, the DfT said.
Increasing the MOT exemption period would also bring Britain in line with Northern Ireland and many other European nations, such as France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Denmark and Norway.
But several fleet stakeholders have warned cars could end up becoming more dangerous for both the driver and employer if the proposed extension is approved.
“Having a four-year cycle could raise corporate responsibility and quality-of-care issues as faults and problems are more likely to occur as the mileage and age of the vehicle increases,” said David Scarborough, commercial director at remarketing company Aston Barclay.
It is not inconceivable for company cars to travel for 100,000 miles over four years, and many industry stakeholders have raised safety concerns.
“Our concern is that high-mileage corporate vehicles could be going a long time without having the most basic inspection check for roadworthiness and technical safety,” said Jim McNally, head of asset risk at leasing firm Alphabet.
Many vehicle leases today include service, maintenance and repair checks in the monthly cost, but leasing companies still warned the MOT is vital.
“A routine service does not have the same absolute focus on safety as an MOT,” said Shaun Sadlier, head of consultancy at leasing business Arval UK. “We shouldn’t lose sight that the elements checked at an MOT are not only related to the overall build quality but also items that could be classed as consumables, such as tyres, which need to be in good condition.”
Tyre maintenance charity TyreSafe claimed that at present one in 20 vehicles fails its first MOT test due to tyre defects, and predicted this figure would increase if the proposed changes were implemented.
“While, of course, vehicles are certainly safer and more reliable than they were 50 years ago, ‘maintenance components’, such as tyres, still need the owner to regularly check and service their vehicle, which is not universally the case by any means,” said Stuart Jackson, TyreSafe chairman. “Extending the first MOT to four years will not be a boost to motorists if it is at the expense of their safety.”
Despite a possible surge in SMR appointments due to the proposed elongated exemption period, FleetEurope, a fleet solutions provider, suggested that overall SMR costs wouldn’t go up, with Carlos Montero, chief commercial officer, explaining that “SMR costs are typically based on the estimated mileage and contract terms for leased vehicles”.
Meanwhile, remarketing company Cox Automotive claimed these costs could be reduced as a result of the longer exemption period.
“Assuming the contract is no more than 48 months, then SMR costs could potentially go down, if average repair costs around the initial MOT remain similar, the exposure to those costs would happen at a later point,” said Tim Hudson, the company’s managing director of inventory solutions.
Montero said employers should encourage drivers to carry out regular safety checks and added they may need to introduce intervention programmes where employers check staff cars for compliance, a process that could further increase the administrative burden placed on fleet managers.
Should the plans go ahead, the content and cost of the MOT test would not change. Every year, more than 2.2 million first MOT tests are undertaken each year, priced at £54.85 per vehicle.
The Government’s consultation period for the proposals closes on 16 April. To air your views, go to www.gov.uk/government/consultations/extending-first-mot-date-to-4-years.
